Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Name: SaponaraWhere: 23 Prebend Street, N1 8PF, tel 020 7226 2771Cost: Pizze are priced around £10, other food options are also available on the menu.About: Located in Islington and founded by brothers Marco and Vincenzo, Saponara Italian Deli has been has been serving a local loyal clientele for many years.

The last time I was there, I stocked up on some delectable Italian goodies including homemade venison and truffle ravioli, scamorza affumicata cheese, artisan chocolates and a bottle or two of Aperol. Their selection of 25 authentic stone baked pizze are outstanding including some lesser known Italian ingredients like the Calabrian Nduja for ‘Piccante’ or Praga ham for ‘Prosciutto e Funghi’.

Saponara was listed among the 50 Best Delicatessens in the UK by The Independent.

What We Ate: Luckily, Saponara is about a 5-minute walk from my home in Islington, and so I have eaten there on a number of occasions. My favourite pizza, and the one I always order, is "Piccante" (hot), a wonderful concoction of tomato and mozzarella topped with Nduja sausage, salami piccante, olives and salsiccia piccante (more hot sausage!).

Dr G's choice is "Saponara", equally delicious but easier on the piccante, this has tomato and mozzarella, scamorza affumicata (smoked cheese from Puglia, Southern Italy), sausages and mushrooms.

What We Drank: A comprehensive Italian wine selection from the deli is available to accompany your pizze for a £7.50 corkage fee. In our last visit we shared a fantastic 2008 bottle of Salice Salentino by winemaker Francesco Candido, sold at £13.95 at the deli (plus £7.50 to be consumed on the premises). From Puglia, the heel of Italy, this is the home to some of the best value wines in the country. Salice Salentino is made from Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes, this was a robust wine with dried fruit flavours accompanied by a bitter-chocolate character, with moderate acidity, smoky oak and superb length.

Likes: Great selection of Italian ingredients including cheeses, salami and freshly made pasta, excellent and well price wine choices, the best pizze in London. Very friendly service.Dislikes: None.Verdict: Saponara is by far my favourite pizzeria in London, very highly recommended.

About Me

Born in Brazil to Japanese and Italian parents, educated in the UK, a true Londoner. Former investment banker turned Cordon Bleu trained chef, food, wine and travel writer, Japanophile and Supper Club host in Islington.

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